Lighting device for vehicles, comprising at least two light modules with intersecting light paths

Abstract

Lighting device for vehicles with a housing (G) in which at least two light modules, each containing a light source (5, 5') for emitting a beam of light and at least one associated optical unit (8, 9, 10, 11) for generating a predetermined light function, are arranged, wherein, firstly, the light source (5') is either designed as a light source (5') emitting a linear light distribution (L4') or a primary optic (7) for generating a linear light distribution (L1', L2', L3') is arranged in front of the light source (5), and wherein, secondly, the at least one optical unit (8, 9, 10, 11) has optical means for converting the linear light distribution (L1', L2', L3', L4') into a light distribution (L1, L2, L3, L4) for generating the predetermined light function, characterized in that the light sources (5, 5') are assigned to the respective associated optical units (8, 9, 10, 11) are spaced apart in such a way that,that the light paths of the light beams emitted by the respective light source (5, 5') of two light modules (1, 2, 3, 4) intersect and / or cross in a region that lies both between the light source (5, 5') and the at least one optical unit (8, 9, 10, 11) of the first of the two light modules (1, 2, 3, 4) and between the light source (5, 5') and the at least one optical unit (8, 9, 10, 11) of the second of the two light modules (1, 2, 3, 4), wherein either the at least one optical unit (8) of the first of the two light modules (1, 2, 3, 4) or the at least one optical unit (8) of the second of the second light modules (1, 2, 3, 4) is designed as a deflecting reflector, which is located at a distance (a) in the direction of light emission (6) in front of the light source (5) of the respective light module (1, 2, 3, 4) is arranged such that the linear light distribution (L1') of the respective light module (1, 2, 3, 4) is deflected at an angle in the main emission direction (H).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lighting device for vehicles according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] It is known to use LED light sources for vehicle lighting devices, which emit light into a hemisphere according to a cosine light distribution. An optical unit consisting of a reflector, a light guide, or a lens is typically positioned upstream of the LED light source to generate a light distribution for a specific lighting function, such as a turn signal or daytime running light. The conversion to the desired light distribution is thus essentially achieved by the upstream optical unit, which must have a specific design and dimensions. For example, US Patent 8,475,019 B2 discloses such an optical unit positioned directly upstream of the LED light source, designed as a plate-shaped light guide. The efficiency of the optical unit is essentially determined by how much light from the light source can be utilized.With a cosine light distribution of the light source and small light areas of the optical unit, for example a narrow light entry area of ​​a light guide, significant portions of the light source emitted at lateral angles cannot be captured and used.

[0003] From DE 10 2010 048 660 A1, a lighting device for vehicles is known, comprising a light module with a light source, primary optics, and an optical unit for generating a predetermined lighting function. The primary optics influence the light beam emitted by the light source in such a way that a linear light distribution is produced, which is deflected by the optical unit, designed as a reflector. The distance between the light source and the primary optics is relatively small, so that a light beam from another light module cannot cross the path of the primary optics.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to further develop a lighting device for vehicles in such a way that an optimized light distribution of the light source can be generated in a simple and effective manner, or an optimized light source can be used in an optical unit.

[0005] To solve this problem, the invention has the features of claims 1 and 6.

[0006] The particular advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the light source itself already emits a linear light distribution, thus reducing the effort required for light conversion by the upstream optical unit. The optical unit comprises optical means such that a modified second light beam is generated from the incoming linear light beam, which is emitted into the environment as a signal beam in the main direction of radiation. The light source itself, or a primary optic directly associated with the light source, produces a linear light distribution, in which a linear light beam is fed to the optical unit at the light input.In this way, even before reaching the optical unit, the light emitted by the light source is pre-shaped so that the pre-shaped light beam resembles or is identical to the light beam emitted by the lighting device, and in particular narrow light functional areas, for example a narrow light entry surface of a light guide or a narrow reflector, are optimally illuminated by the pre-shaped linear light distribution of the light source, thus achieving a high efficiency.

[0007] According to the invention, several light modules, each containing a light source, a linearly emitting light beam, and an optical unit positioned in front of it, are arranged within the housing of the lighting device such that the light paths between the light source and the optical unit of different light modules intersect and / or cross. Advantageously, the light sources can thus be arranged at the edge of the housing without being visible to the observer. In particular, the light sources can also be attached to different sides of the housing, which allows for the construction of a more compact lighting device.

[0008] According to the invention, at least one optical unit is designed as a deflecting reflector, which can be arranged at a distance from the light source and enables the deflection of a band of light generated by the linear light distribution in the main direction of emission. Due to the relatively large distance between the light source and the deflecting reflector, potentially disturbing reflections when the lighting device is switched off can be reduced. The location of the light source is not immediately apparent to the observer. The light appears to come from "nowhere," as only the reflector surface is visible. The light source can be arranged in an edge region of the housing without the need for a separate aperture.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light source is designed as a semiconductor light source, either as a laser diode by means of which a linear light distribution can be generated, or as a light-emitting diode or laser diode with a primary optical element directly upstream of it, by means of which the linear light distribution is generated. The linear light distribution at or near the light source focuses the light onto a limited area, allowing the optical unit to be located at a considerable distance from the light source. This increases the flexibility in arranging and constructing multiple optical units within a single housing for a lighting device that is intended to provide several lighting functions.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the optical unit is designed as a plate-shaped light-guiding element with a light-coupling narrow side, so that a light line generated by the light source can be directed onto this light-coupling narrow side. The optical unit can thus be arranged at a distance from the light source, whereby, due to the focusing of the light line emitted by the light source, all the light from the light source is focused onto this light-coupling narrow side without any light being passed past it. The distance between the light source and the optical unit depends on the desired linear light distribution and the size of the light-coupling area.

[0011] According to a further development of the invention, the optical unit can comprise a plate-shaped light guide element with a conical light coupling section, wherein the conical light coupling section has a concave light coupling surface on which the light source is directly arranged. Advantageously, the light can spread conically within this plate-shaped light guide element and strike a front light output surface, by means of which the light is emitted according to a desired light distribution for a signal function.

[0012] Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the further dependent claims.

[0013] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0014] They show: Fig. 1. A schematic side view of a lighting device with a plurality of light modules, Fig. 2 a perspective front view of a first light module with a light-emitting diode as a light source, as well as a primary optical element arranged near it and an optical element formed as a trough-shaped reflector, Fig. 3 a perspective front view of a second light module with a light-emitting diode as a light source, as well as a primary optical element arranged near it and an optical element designed as a plate-shaped light guide element, Fig. 4 a perspective front view of another light module with a laser diode as a light source and a plate-shaped light guide element, which is positioned in front as an optical unit and Fig. 5 a perspective front view of a light module with a laser diode as a light source, in front of which a plate-shaped light guide element is placed as an optical unit.

[0015] A lighting device for vehicles can be used in the rear or front area of ​​a motor vehicle.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 1 Four light modules 1, 2, 3, 4 are provided, each emitting an elongated, preferably linear or rectangular light distribution L1, L2, L3, L4 in the main emission direction H to generate a different and / or the same light function, such as tail light, brake light, indicator light or reversing light.

[0017] The light modules 1, 2, 3, and 4 each have semiconductor light sources. The first light module 1, the second light module 2, and the third light module 3 each have a light-emitting diode 5 (LED light source). A primary optic, designed as a primary optical element 7, is positioned in close proximity to the LED in the direction of light emission 6. This primary optic generates a linear light distribution L1', L2', L3', which, in the form of a luminous line or band, strikes an optical unit 8, 9, or 10 located in front of the LED. Since the primary optic element 7 is arranged in close proximity to the LEDs 5, and can, for example, be attached to a mounting device 12 of the LED 5, the LED 5 and the primary optic element 7 form a single light source assembly.

[0018] The fourth light module L4 features a laser diode 5' as a semiconductor light source, capable of emitting a line-shaped light distribution. Alternatively, a primary optical element can be placed in front of the laser diode if it is not capable of emitting a line-shaped light distribution.

[0019] The first light module 1 has a deflecting reflector as its optical unit 8, which deflects the light beam L1' emitted by the light-emitting diode 5 or the prism optical element 7 by 90° and emits it as a linear light beam L1 in the main emission direction H. Due to the linear focusing by the prism optical element 7, the light beam L1' strikes the deflecting reflector 8 as a linear band of light.

[0020] The light source assembly 5, 7 can be arranged at a distance a from the deflecting reflector 8, where the distance a can correspond approximately to the height of a housing G of the lighting device. The deflecting reflector 8 is trough-shaped and has reflective surfaces that incorporate diffusing optical elements. The diffusing optical elements can be configured as pincushion, stripe, or prism optical elements. Furthermore, the diffusing optical elements can also be applied by electrical discharge machining (EDM), etching, or laser beams.

[0021] The second and third light modules 2, 3 are identical in design, but are arranged at different heights. The second optical element 9 and the third optical element 10 each have a plate-shaped light guide element as their optical means, which has opposite flat sides 13, a light-inducing narrow side 14 facing the light-emitting diode 5, and a light-exiting narrow side 15 facing away from the light source 5.

[0022] The light source assembly, consisting of the light-emitting diode 5 and the prism optic element 7, is arranged at a distance b from the plate-shaped light guide element 9 or 10. The light beam L2', L3' emitted by the light source assembly results in a linear light distribution in front of the plate-shaped light guide element 9, 10, which strikes the light-emitting narrow side 14 of the plate-shaped light guide element 9, 10 as a line of illumination. A light emission direction 6' of the light-emitting diodes 5 of the second and third light modules 2, 3 is directed in the main emission direction H.

[0023] The fourth light module 4 differs from the second and third light modules 2, 3 primarily in that the laser diode 5' serves as the light source. The light beam L4' emitted by the laser diode 5' is directed as a luminous line to the fourth optical unit 11, which is designed as a plate-shaped light-guiding element. From there, it is emitted as a linear light distribution L4 to generate the light function. The fourth optical unit 11 also has a light-inducing narrow side 14 facing the laser diode 5, a light-exiting narrow side 15 facing away from the laser diode 5', and opposing flat sides 13.

[0024] Identical components or component functions of the exemplary embodiments or light modules are provided with the same reference numerals. The second light module 2, the third light module 3, and the fourth light module 4 are thus oriented in the same direction, namely in the main emission direction H, with the axes of the light sources 5, 5' pointing in the main emission direction H, while one optical axis of the first light module 1 is arranged perpendicular to the main emission direction H.

[0025] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the light beam L1' running between the light source 5 and the optical unit 8 of the first light module 1 intersects the light beams L2', L3', L4', which run between the light sources 5, 5' of the second, third, and fourth light modules 1 and their respective optical units 9, 10, and 11. The light source 5 of the first light module 2, 3, 4 is preferably arranged on an upper wall G1 of the housing G, while the light sources 5, 5' of the second, third, and fourth light modules 2, 3, 4 are attached to a rear wall G2 of the housing G. In this way, a compact design of the light modules 1, 2, 3, 4 can be achieved, in which, in particular, the light sources 5, 5' of the light modules 1, 2, 3, 4 are not readily apparent to the observer.

[0026] It is understood that the lighting device can also have a different number of light modules. In particular, it is also possible that the lighting device has one of each of the light modules 1, 2, 3, 4.

[0027] In Fig. Figure 2 shows the first light module in a single view. Fig. 3 is the second or third light module shown in individual view, while in Fig. 4 the fourth light module is shown in individual view.

[0028] The light-coupling narrow side 14 of the plate-shaped light-guiding elements 9, 10, 11 can be smooth or provided with scattering optic elements, wherein the scattering optic elements are designed as pincushion, stripe, or prism optic elements. The scattering optic elements can be produced by electrical discharge machining (EDM), etching, or by laser beams.

[0029] Out of Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the light paths of the first light module 1 on the one hand and the further light modules 2, 3, 4 on the other hand intersect in an area between the light sources 5, 5' and the optical units 8, 9, 10, 11. In this way, a compact design of the lighting device is ensured.

[0030] According to a further embodiment of the invention according to the Fig.The optical unit 17 comprises a plate-shaped light-guiding element with a conical light-input coupling section 18, which has a concave light-input coupling surface 19. The laser diode 5' is associated with the light-input coupling surface 19. The laser diode 5' emits linear light, which is coupled into the light-guiding element 17 and then, by total internal reflection, is directed primarily along the narrow side surfaces 20 towards an arc-shaped light-output coupling surface 21. At this surface, the light is emitted in a linear pattern, forming a linear light distribution to generate the emitted light function. The light-output coupling surface 21 has strip-shaped scattering optics elements 22 to generate the desired linear light distribution. Reference symbol list 1 First light module 2 Second light module 3 Third light module 4 Fourth light module 5.5' Light-emitting diode (LED light source) 6, 6' Light emission direction 7 Primary optical element 8, 9, 10, 11 Optical unit 12 Holding device 13 flat pages 14 Light-inducing narrow side 15 Light-extracting narrow side 17 Optical unit 18 Light coupling section 19 Light coupling area 20 side surfaces 21 Light output area 22 scattering optics element L1, L2, L3, L4, L1', L2', L3', L4' light beam H Main radiation direction a, b distance G, G1, G2 Housing (walls)

Claims

[1] Lighting device for vehicles with a housing (G) in which at least two light modules, each containing a light source (5, 5') for emitting a beam of light and at least one associated optical unit (8, 9, 10, 11) are arranged for generating a predetermined light function, wherein, firstly, the light source (5') is either designed as a light source (5') emitting a linear light distribution (L4') or a primary optic (7) for generating a linear light distribution (L1', L2', L3') is arranged in front of the light source (5), and wherein, secondly, the at least one optical unit (8, 9, 10, 11) has optical means for converting the linear light distribution (L1', L2', L3', L4') into a light distribution (L1, L2, L3, L4) for generating the predetermined light function, characterized by, that the light sources (5, 5') are spaced apart from their respective associated optical units (8, 9, 10, 11) such that the light paths of the light beams emitted by the respective light source (5, 5') of two light modules (1, 2, 3, 4) intersect and / or cross in an area that lies both between the light source (5, 5') and the at least one optical unit (8, 9, 10, 11) of the first of the two light modules (1, 2, 3, 4) and between the light source (5, 5') and the at least one optical unit (8, 9, 10, 11) of the second of the two light modules (1, 2, 3, 4), wherein either the at least one optical unit (8) of the first of the two light modules (1, 2, 3, 4) or the at least one optical unit (8) of the second of the second light modules (1, 2, 3, 4) 3, 4) is designed as a deflecting reflector, which is arranged at a distance (a) in the direction of light emission (6) in front of the light source (5) of the respective light module (1, 2, 3, 4),so that the linear light distribution (L1') of the respective light module (1, 2, 3, 4) is deflected at an angle in the main emission direction (H). [2] Lighting device according to claim 1, characterized by , - that in the event that the light source (5') is designed as a light source (5') emitting a linear light distribution, the light source (5') is designed as a laser diode and - that in the event that a primary optic is positioned in front of the light source (5) to generate a linear light distribution, the light source (5) is designed as a light-emitting diode. [3] Lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the at least one optical unit (9, 10, 11) of the light module of the two light modules, which does not have the deflecting reflector (8) as its at least one optical unit (9, 10, 11), has a plate-shaped light guide element which is arranged with a light-coupling narrow side (14) facing the light source (5, 5'), wherein - in the event that the light source (5') is designed as a light source (5') emitting a linear light distribution, the plate-shaped light guide element is arranged at a distance (b) in the direction of light emission (6, 6') in front of the light source (5'), - and wherein, in the case that a primary optic for generating a linear light distribution is positioned in front of the light source (5), the plate-shaped light guide element is arranged at a distance (b) in the direction of light emission (6, 6') in front of the primary optic (7), so that a line of light caused by the linear light distribution (L2', L3', L4') hits exclusively the light-coupling narrow side (14). [4] Lighting device according to claim 3, characterized by , that the light-coupling narrow side (14) of the plate-shaped light guide element is smooth or provided with scattering optic elements, wherein the scattering optic elements are designed as pincushion, strip, or prism optic elements, or that the scattering optic elements are produced by eroding, etching or laser beams. [5] Lighting device according to claim 1, characterized by, that the deflecting reflector (8) is trough-shaped and has a reflective surface with several scattering optic elements, wherein the scattering optic elements are designed as cushion, strip or prism optic elements or are produced by eroding, etching or laser beams. [6] Lighting device for vehicles with a housing (G) in which at least two light modules, each containing a light source (5, 5') for emitting a beam of light and at least one associated optical unit (8, 9, 10, 11) are arranged for generating a predetermined light function, wherein, firstly, the light source (5') is either designed as a light source (5') emitting a linear light distribution (L4') or a primary optic (7) for generating a linear light distribution (L1', L2', L3') is arranged in front of the light source (5), and wherein, secondly, the at least one optical unit (8, 9, 10, 11) has optical means for converting the linear light distribution (L1', L2', L3', L4') into a light distribution (L1, L2, L3, L4) for generating the predetermined light function, characterized by, that the first light module (1) comprises a light-emitting diode (5), a primary optic (7) and a deflecting reflector (8), that as a second light module several light modules (2, 3, 4) are arranged next to each other in a vertical or horizontal direction, wherein the light beam (L1') of the first light module (1) intersects the light beams (L2', L3', L4') of the several light modules (2, 3, 4) in a region between the light source (5) of the first light module (1) and the deflecting reflector (8) of the same, wherein the light beams (L2', L3', L4') of the several light modules (2, 3, 4) - in the event that the light source (5') of the second light module is designed as the light source (5') emitting the linear light distribution (L4') extend between the light source (5') and the optical unit (11), and - in the event that a primary optic (7) for generating the linear light distribution is located in front of the light source (5) of the second light module, extend between the primary optic (7) and the optic unit (9, 10).

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